Safety crank



May 15., 1923.

- L. RUDOLPH SAFETY CRANK 2 sheets-shet 1 Filed Aug. '7, 1922 INVENTOR Lakrence Rudolph.

May 15, 1923.

L. RUDOLPH SAFETY CRANK Filed Aug. 7, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 a INVENTOR Lawrence Rudolph.

Patented May 15, 1923.

LAWRENCE RUDOLPH, F iOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO RUDY RUDOLPH, OF PENSACOLA, FLORIDA.

SAFETY CRANK.

Application filed. August 7, 1922. Serial No. 580,368.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LiiwRnNon RUDOLPH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in bafety Cranks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in safety crank devices for internal combustion engines, especially those employed in motor vehicles, motor boats, and aerial navigating machines.

The present invention is a modification of that disclosed in my copencling application filed on even date herewith, Serial No. 580,367.

In its general nature, the present invention comprises a cranking shaft with a clutch element that is adapted to be pushed into engagement with mating clutch element on the engine shaft by the simple act of cranking in the usual way, but which will be quickly withdrawn from connection with the engine shaft, if the engine kicks back or back fires, without turning the cranking shaft reversely except for a few degrees, (as is also the case with the embodiments of my invention disclosed in my copending application aforesaid)'the present arrangement differing principally from the construction disclosed in my copending application in that a pivoted toothed dog is employed in lieu of a sliding block.

In its more detailed nature, the present embodiments of my invention comprise a cranking shaft which carries the clutch element for engaging the engine shaft clutch element, the cranking shaft being rotatable around its axis and also movable longitudinally along the same, the cranking shaft being made in two sections, coupled operatively together, one to be turned from the other through the medium'of a gear train embodying spiral gears, one of which cooperates with a pivotedtoothed dog to cause lateral movement of the spiral gear when a kick back occurs and thereby, through engagement of the spiral gear with the cranking shaft section on which it is mounted, cause the clutch element of the cranking shaft to be withdrawn and disengaged from the clutch element of the engine shaft.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated two embodiments of my invention, one adapted to a right hand engine wlth right hand cranking motion and the other to a left hand engine with right hand cranking motion.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation (the support and casing being shown in section) illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal section on the line 38 of Figure 1, looking clownwardly.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail section and part elevation on the line 66 of Figure 4.

In the drawing like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures and those parts corresponding in function but differing somewhat in details of structure bear the same reference character throughout the several views except for an index letter.

Referring especially now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, 1 designates the engine shaft and 2 its clutch element. The cranking shaft, in this embodiment of the invention, is made in two parts, 46 -49, endwise abutting, flanged at 6. and coupled by a split coupling 7 so as to move longitudinally or axially as a unit. The sections l i of the cranking shaft, however, have independent rotational movement. The clutch member 8 which cooperates with the engine clutch member 2 is carried on the cranking shaft section P. Normally the clutch is disconnected by a spring 5. The cranking shaft sections are mounted in suitable hearings in the support and housing 8 and 9. The section at of the cranking shaft is provided with the usual crank 29, through the medium of which it is turned and rotational motion is imparted from the section 4 to the section et through the medium of a reduction gear train 10, 12.. 14 and 15, the gears 12 and 14 being mounted on a countershaft 13 which is also journaled in suitable bearings in the support and housing 8 and 9. The gears 10 and 12 are preferably spur gears, while the gears 1sand 15 are spiral gears. The gears 12 and 1 1 are fixed to their respective shafts, while the gear 15 is a sliding gear rotating with the shaft section 1 through the medium of a key 16, and the gear 10 is also a sliding gear rotating with its shaft 4; through the action of a key 11. 17 is a pivoted toothed dog which is pivoted on a stud 18 and moves between fixed lugs or stops 19 and 20. The dog 17 is provided with teeth 21 to match the teeth of the spiral gear 15 so as to mesh with the same at times and it is held normally against the stop lug 19 by a light spring 22.

The operation of the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, is as follows: Assume the parts to be in the broken line position of Figr :e 1 and it is desired to crank the engine, the operator simply pushes in on the crank 29 until the parts assume the full line position of Figure 1 at which time the clutch elements 3 and 2 will be engaged; the operator then turns the crank in a clockwise direction to crank the engine. The turning of the shaft i -4i" in a clockwise direction brings the dog 17 out of mesh or engagement with the teeth of the spiral gear 15 until the dog assumes a position in engagement with the stop lug 19, as shown in full lines in Figure 3. Should a kick back occur, however, the direction of motion of the gear 15 is reversed and the tendency of the gear 15 is then to slide from left to right in Figure 1 because of its engagement with the gear 14:. This causes the dog 17 to be moved to the broken line position in Figure 3 against the resistance of the light spring 22 which brings-the teeth 21 of the dog into proper alignment with the teeth of the gear 15 which allows the teeth to become meshed and on further rotation of the gear 15 backwards, pulls the gear 15 over from left to right in Figure 1, a collar 23 being provided on the shaft section i against which the gear 15 may be thrust so as to disengage the clutch elements and 2. In order to hold the gear 10 against moving too far to the left, when engaging the crank, suitable stops 28 are provided, these stops being fixed in any suitable way to the casing 9, as for instanceby passing rods through the walls of the casing.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, it will be seen that the cranking shaft sections i l do not lie in alignment but he along different axes parallel to each other. They are mounted in suitable bearings in the support and casing 8 and 9 and are connected to move axially together as a unit by a yoke 25 having bearings for the shaft sections i -a and fixed collars 26 and 27 pinned to the shaft sections to hold the yoke 25 and the shaft sections in position to move in unison longitudinally, it being understood, of course, that each shaft section has independent rotation in its respective bearing in the yoke 25. In this form of the invention also the gears 10 and 12 are dispensed with and the two shaft sections are merely connected by the spiral gears 149 152 the latter cooperating with the pivoted dog 17, the construction of which is essentially the same as that of the preceding form. The spiral gear 14* is slidable on the shaft 4 and rotates with it through the medium of a key 24, while the gear 15 is slidable on the shaft 1* and rotates with it through the medium of a key 16. The throw out spring 5, in this embodiment of the invention, is preferably located between the gear 15 and the yoke 25. V

A stop 28 is provided to prevent the gears 14-15 being thrust'too far to the left in cranking. In this embodiment of the invention, the cooperative action between the dog 17 and the gear 15 is essentially the same as that in the first embodiment described and detailed description of the operation of the present embodiment is, therefore, thought to be unnecessary.

In this application I, make no specific claims to the specific construction shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6, as the specific claims to that construction form the subject matter of a divisional application, filed on the 15th day of November, 1922, Serial No. 601,127.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the complete construction, operation and advantages of the invention will be clear to thoseskilled in the art.

lvVhat I claim is: 1." In apparatus of the class described, a support including shaft bearings, a two part cranking shaft journalled in said bearings, a clutch element on said. cranking shaft adapted to engage a similar element on the I shaft of an engine to be cranked, gearing connecting said two shaft parts,ineans cansing said shaft parts to be moved in unison along their axes, when axial motion is imparted to one of them. said gearing including a spiral gear, a pivoted toothed dog cooperating with said spiral gear to mesh with the same when a kick back occurs, and means connecting said spiral gear with its shaft parts tov thrust said shaft parts back, when said spiral gear is moved laterally during a kick back for the purpose of disengaging the clutch. v

2. In apparatus of the class described, a support having shaft bearings, a two part cranking shaft journaled in said bearings, a clutch element on one of said shaft parts adapted to engage a similar element on the shaft of an engine to be cranked, gearing connecting said two shaft parts and including spiral gears, means normally holding said clutch elements disengaged, a pivoted toothed dog cooperating with one of said spiral gears, the teeth of which dog are adapted, when in alignment with the teeth of the spiral gear, to be meshed therewith, stops limiting the movement of said dog, a spring tending to hold said dog against one of said stops with its teeth out of alignment with those of said spiral gear during the cranking movement of said spiral gear, said spiral gear, when turned reversely to its cranking movement, being adapted to rock said dog to bring the teeth in alignment and effect mesh thereof, and means to be engaged by said spiral gear, when it is moved axially into engagement with said dog for moving said shaft parts to disengage the clutch.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a support having shaft bearings, a two part cranking shaft journale d in said bearings and having axial movement therein, a clutch element on one shaft part adapted to cooperate with a similar element on the engine shaft to be cranked, a crank handle carried by the other shaft part, gearing connecting said two shaft parts and including a sliding spiral gear, a collar on the shaft part adjacent to said sliding spiral gear and adapted to be engaged by said sliding gear, when it is thrust against said collar, to thrust said cranking shaft out of clutching position, and means including a pivoted toothed dog cooperating with said sliding gear.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a support having shaft bearings, a two part cranking shaft journaled in said bearings and having axial movement therein, a clutch element on one shaft part adapted to cooperate with a similar element on the engine shaft toibe cranked, a crank handle carried by the other shaft part, gearing connecting said two shaft parts and including a sliding spiral gear, a collar on the shaft part adj acent to said sliding spiral gear and adapted to be engaged by said sliding gear, when it is thrust against said collar, to thrust said cranking shaft out of clutching position, and means including a pivoted toothed dog cooperating with said sliding gear, said pivoted toothed dog having its teeth arranged to lie out of register with those of the opposing spiral gear during the cranking motion and adapted to have its end in engagement with said spiral gear whereby, as said spiral gear moves on a kick back it will turn said dog to bring its teeth in alignment with those of said spiral gear whereby meshing can be eifected.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a support having shaft bearings, a two part cranking shaft journaled in said bearings end to end, a crank on one of said two parts and a clutch element on the other of said two parts, gearing connecting said two shaft parts, a coupler connecting said two shaft parts to move axially in unison while rotating independently, said gearing including a countershaft, spur gears between said countershaft and one of said two shaft parts, spiral gears connecting said countershaft with the other of said two shaft parts,

means connecting the gears on said cranking shaft parts to turn with the same While allowing aXial movement of said shaft parts in the gears, and a pivoted toothed dog mounted on said support to engage the spiral gear on said crank shaft part to thrust said crank shaft out of clutching position when a kick back occurs.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a support having two sets of shaft bearings, a two part cranking shaft mounted in one set of said bearings, means connecting the two parts of the cranking shaft together to turn independently and move axially in unison, a clutch element on one cranking shaft part, a spring for thrusting said cranking shaft outwardly, a spur gear secured on one of said cranking shaft parts toturn with it while allowing said cranking shaft part to move axially through the gear, a spur gear on said countershaft meshing with said cranking shaft spur gear, spiral gears on said countershaft and the other part of said cranking shaft meshing with one another, the spiral gear on the cranking shaft part being keyed to'turn with it while permitting axial movement between said shaft and said spiral gear, a thrust collar on the cranking shaft part against which the spiral gear may engage to thrust the cranking shaft parts outwardly, and a pivoted toothed dog on the support cooperative with the spiral gear on the cranking shaft part for thrusting said cranking shaft outwardly when said spiral gear is moved into meshing engagement with said pivoted toothed dog, for the purposes described.

LAWRENCE RUDOLPH.

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